CA - Murder victims Identified as Rob Reiner and wife Michele - LA Dec 14 2025

[katydid23]

So?
Not unusual at all for diagnosis to take years especially with emerging or progressive disorders.

A large amount of medical treatment going back many years accumulated information to make such a determination for NR, imo.

The problem with taking so long is that one cannot know if he had schizophrenia and then self medicated with drugs

OR

if he was abusing drugs since his teen years and it triggered psychosis, mimicking schizophrenic episodes.

He might not be a schizophrenic, but he may be a drug addict that has drug induced paranoia and psychosis. IMO

FYI:

Sober coaches come in all types and credentials.



all imo

 

[katydid23]

So to my thinking this makes it seem unlikely that the siblings would have cut off his defense money.

But it might not be up to them legally.

There is a law that if someone kills a family member, they cannot use any of said inheritance funds to pay for their defense.

His immediate family does not have the legal right to use any of the family trust fund to pay for Nick's defense team.

 

[MistyWaters]

So?
Not unusual at all for diagnosis to take years especially with emerging or progressive disorders.

A large amount of medical treatment going back many years accumulated information to make such a determination for NR, imo.


FYI:

Sober coaches come in all types and credentials.



all imo

Unless it can be proven NR didn’t know right from wrong at the time that he murdered his parents in bed …aka legally insane, a diagnosis isn’t going to matter.

I think his actions at the time and immediately after may prove a far bigger hurdle for his defence to overcome than gathering opinions from medical experts.
JMO

 

[Sadi]

I don't have a solid theory at this point. My prior post was my head listing out known facts upon reviewing the news of yesterday: AJ didn't know he would leave the case, the family didn't know AJ would leave the case, the public defender's office didn't know AJ would leave the case.

Looking at that it seems most probable to me that something occurred, pre-court appearance, between NR and AJ in the pre-prep/convo. Perhaps they had a strategy, and AJ had spent all that time etc prepping on a strategy, and that morning NR was like "nah." Or some other variation of no longer wanting to go with whatever was planned. At that point AJ can't just pivot legal strategy in minutes. But also can't enact the planned strategy if NR is suddenly opposed to it. And so he cannot serve as counsel, in a sudden and unexpected move. (In that case "circumstances beyond Nick's control" would be a reference to mental health/insanity - where AJ thinks whatever NR did or decided that morning reflect a person not able to make rational reality-based decisions.)

That might not be right. But it seems more likely to me than some family related money decision being made the exact morning court is to move forward. If AJ had a pay plan that worked for him to spend all that prep time and show up, whatever money was set and moving forward. And it is hard to imagine the money source calling the morning of court to say "we're not paying anymore." Possible. But that seems less likely than something going down between AJ and NR while preparing to walk into court. (As we have zero examples of NR being able to be a consistent person with healthy on-going relationships, let alone with a smart man in power who has to be deferred to if NR wants the best legal representation.)

I thought it was said the night before the court hearing it was decided AJ would no longer be representing NR and a public defender was contacted.

 

[Chimera]

"Rob Reiner’s family urge judge not to give Nick Reiner the death penalty.​

The family of murdered Hollywood icon Nick Reiner
have made a surprising plea ahead of Nick Reiner’s trial in the wake of their parents’ murder.

Nick Reiner’s siblings want their 'seriously ill' brother
to avoid the death penalty.

After a change in meds,
the source claimed,
the 32-year-old grew even more unpredictable and unstable than before,
while also exhibiting signs of confusion.

'The family feels this was all a massive failure in his care
and they firmly believe he was seriously ill when he did this'.”

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/rob-reiners-family-urge-judge-not-to-give-nick-reiner-the-death-penalty/news-story/ed6207d9821c082a5e5ee4331c586a08

Rbm.
@Dotta ; Thanks for this link, I found it interesting.

If the siblings want to avoid this (the D.P.) and would rather a mental hospital and treatment ; possibly geared towards eventual recovery and possible release, they may need to start dipping into the inheritance and re-hire Alan Jackson.

Curious about who this, 'source' is ?

Re. the 'slayer laws' in CA, could the siblings use any money of their own that is not tied up in the inheritance ?

They are understandably sympathetic towards their brother (although it's unfathomable to some, considering the severity of the crime) ; but if they feel he needs the best counsel available, a public defender may not be the best choice.
Imo.

 

[Sadi]

Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman Calls Nick Reiner's Rehab Facilities Scams

Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman -- formerly the president of the American Psychiatric Association -- stopped by "TMZ Live," sharing some disturbing insight into the multiple rehab facilities ... which ultimately failed Rob and Michele Reiner's son Nick.

www.tmz.com

12/22/25

Some have pointed out Nick had been displaying warning signs when his medications were altered in a way that left him unstable. While Lieberman says it should fall on doctors to spot dangerous behavior and prescribe inpatient care when necessary, he admitted the law ties their hands.

"The rules for civil commitment, or treatment of a patient over objection, or hospitalizing them over objection are so stringent that a person has to literally commit a crime before they can be forcibly admitted to the hospital or required to take medication," he said.

This even applies in Nick's case, where he was allegedly using cocaine, which Lieberman said is like "throwing gas on a fire" for schizophrenics.

Who would be responsible for ensuring N was taking his medication? I wouldn’t trust him on his own to do anything. Did a physician/nurse/medical assistant come out daily to check on him to see how he’s feeling?

 

[Sundog]

dbm

 

[Hexe]

recent articles state NR was diagnosed years ago, not recently as was initially reported.

The article I commented on, very recent, from today, states that:

The director’s troubled middle child has had an extensive history of drug addiction and was reportedly recently diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Bolded by me. That's what I was commenting on.

 

[NuttMegg]

AJ:


OK, I may have found something to explain the issue:

• Insanity/Mental Illness: If a court finds the killer was legally insane and thus could not form "felonious intent," the slayer rule may be challenged.

Maybe AJ was relying upon challenging the slayer rule by claiming 'Insanity defense' for NR. So he felt comfortable going forward with defending him. And NR may have seemed compliant and rational.

However, if on that morning, NR refused to sign the document concerning his plea of NGRI , refused to agree to the Insanity defense, then AJ would have no shot at getting any of the family trust money either.

So that could have made him angry then and there. IMO

Could be. We aren't privy to whatever trusts the parents set up, or map to inheritance. But even if Nick's part was full of barbed wire hazards, the other 3 offspring could have paid for his defense I'd think. Assuming the $$ was available. How could the slayer law stop a third party from paying for his defense, even if it comes from the same inheritance, but not from his part? I don't see how the trust set up could anticipate that. Assuming 1 or more of the kids wanted to donate from their share.

But I'm with you on NR refusing the NGRI that same morning. Thanks for all your research.

 

[NuttMegg]

But it might not be up to them legally.

There is a law that if someone kills a family member, they cannot use any of said inheritance funds to pay for their defense.

His immediate family does not have the legal right to use any of the family trust fund to pay for Nick's defense team.

I don't know the legal terms, but once the money is legally theirs, wouldn't that no longer be from the trust? How could the slayer law tie up that money forever. I mean the other children's parts. Unless they could only withdraw so much per year.

 

[SMK777]

But it might not be up to them legally.

There is a law that if someone kills a family member, they cannot use any of said inheritance funds to pay for their defense.

His immediate family does not have the legal right to use any of the family trust fund to pay for Nick's defense team.

Oh, I had thought they could pay out of theirs, but he wouldn't get his.

So we really don't know how they are feeling about their brother at this point....

 

[Betty P]

Thanks for this. If there was only one video I needed to watch about the arraignment, this would be it. The attorney he interviewed was very good, to the point, descriptive of what happened so far and what happened in the courtroom.

 

[Cool Cats]

why do you think 'no one took him for an evaluation'?

Find where MSM says he went for one and then I will believe it. I personally have researched it and cannot find any sign of it. I am talking about Nick Reiner going to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation after he left Conan's party.

2 Cents

 

[Jade]

The problem with taking so long is that one cannot know if he had schizophrenia and then self medicated with drugs

OR

if he was abusing drugs since his teen years and it triggered psychosis, mimicking schizophrenic episodes.

He might not be a schizophrenic, but he may be a drug addict that has drug induced paranoia and psychosis. IMO

Considering the premium extensive medical care that NR had starting a very early age there is for sure plenty of empirical evidence gathered that in totality makes a diagnosis.

A recent diagnoses identifying the serious debilitating condition is just putting a label to what’s already manifested and progressed as it’s known to do in NR’s age span. It’s a devastating conclusion not frivolously or quickly presented.

Medical professionals routinely handle the co-occurring diseases, addiction and mental illness.

The problem, imo, is that addiction and mental illness are the great equalizers.

All the Reiner’s funding of medical and behavioral interventions, worry and love in the end weren’t any more effective for NR’s life than the undiagnosed, untreated, unloved ones that wander the streets suffering and lashing out.

That’s the worst it’s all so often futile in the end.


all imo

 

[Jade]

Unless it can be proven NR didn’t know right from wrong at the time that he murdered his parents in bed …aka legally insane, a diagnosis isn’t going to matter.

I think his actions at the time and immediately after may prove a far bigger hurdle for his defence to overcome than gathering opinions from medical experts.
JMO

Yes, legally. I was off that topic concerning the diagnosis as a legal mechanism.

I think he might know right from wrong but thinks he's right anyway.

all imo

 

[Betty P]

Considering the premium extensive medical care that NR had starting a very early age there is for sure plenty of empirical evidence gathered that in totality makes a diagnosis.

A recent diagnoses identifying the serious debilitating condition is just putting a label to what’s already manifested and progressed as it’s known to do in NR’s age span. It’s a devastating conclusion not frivolously or quickly presented.

Medical professionals routinely handle the co-occurring diseases, addiction and mental illness.

The problem, imo, is that addiction and mental illness are the great equalizers.

All the Reiner’s funding of medical and behavioral interventions, worry and love in the end weren’t any more effective for NR’s life than the undiagnosed, untreated, unloved ones that wander the streets suffering and lashing out.

That’s the worst it’s all so often futile in the end.


all imo

In addition, if he was continuing to use drugs, his mental illness was constantly changing and evolving.

 

[Hexe]

Considering the premium extensive medical care that NR had starting a very early age there is for sure plenty of empirical evidence gathered that in totality makes a diagnosis.

I heard about him attending rehab camps not psychiatric facilities. Any links?

 

[Arkay]

Thanks for this. If there was only one video I needed to watch about the arraignment, this would be it. The attorney he interviewed was very good, to the point, descriptive of what happened so far and what happened in the courtroom.

Yes, IMO too this was a very good interview.

My only tiny issue is that at least in Romy’s case, I wouldn’t think it was seeing the crime scene photos that may have steered her away from supporting Nick, as she had the misfortune of seeing her father dead and already knew what the scene looked like.

As to Romy, Jake and let’s not forget Tracy, they may be having conflicting views on how much they want to be involved in supporting Nick. That may be emotionally or may be financially.

As this lawyer said, none of the family was physically present to support Nick. Maybe they will not forgive (I wouldn’t) or perhaps they are in such pain already that they didn’t feel they could additionally see Nick in shackles, etc.

I agree wholeheartedly that the siblings, (more Romy and Jake because I don’t think Tracy lived with them), have endured their own childhoods filled with anguish due to Nick’s behavior.

They must have suffered seeing how difficult it was for their parents dealing endlessly with Nick. It’s likely there were times that they worried for their own safety at Nick’s hands, too. If you spend your entire childhood with someone so volatile, that has to have an impact on your day-to-day life.

It’s intriguing to me that Romy as an adult chose to live directly across from her parents. Did she want the safety and privacy any adult would want, but also was worried about leaving her parents with only Nick in the vicinity? Of course it could just be that she simply liked living right near them.

Finally, I find the entire AJ withdrawal very perplexing. Leave for whatever is the reason, okay fine, by why emphasize how hard you’ve worked, how Nick is such an innocent, and demand the press print that?

I hope he does not end up insinuating something preposterous, such as it was Rob and Michele who tried to kill Nick and this was self-defense.

Very puzzling maneuver but hopefully we will get more information at some time. Possibly he’d be amenable to working pro bono, but you can’t expect all your staff, your paralegals etc., as well as expert witnesses to also work for free.

All JMO

 

[Orso49]

I have a feeling AJ is going to go after the caregivers that changed his medication. He could be representing the family and feel their brother was given wrong drugs leading to his behavior. It may explain AJ's adamant assertion that NR is not guilty. I also don't feel that Conan O should feel guilty for not calling the police. The parents were present and aware of his behavior. If anyone should call the police it should be the parents. Why would doctors change medication without having NR under close scrutiny? Did parents feel they could monitor NR with sober coaches? This is a heart wrenching story and unfortunately not the only family facing these challenges.

 

[NuttMegg]

I have a feeling AJ is going to go after the caregivers that changed his medication. He could be representing the family and feel their brother was given wrong drugs leading to his behavior. It may explain AJ's adamant assertion that NR is not guilty. I also don't feel that Conan O should feel guilty for not calling the police. The parents were present and aware of his behavior. If anyone should call the police it should be the parents. Why would doctors change medication without having NR under close scrutiny? Did parents feel they could monitor NR with sober coaches? This is a heart wrenching story and unfortunately not the only family facing these challenges.

Do you think he's going to continue to work on the case, but in some consulting capacity?